Musical instrument



W. WADDINGTON Sept. 17, 1929.

MUS ICAL INSTRUMENT Filed Dec. 6, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1L0}? INVENTDH ATTORNEYS.

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Patented Sept. 17, 1929 PATENT OFFICE UNITED STATES WALTER WADDINGTON, OF SCARBOROUGH, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO WADDINGTON & SONS, LIMITED, OF SCARBOROUGH, YORK, ENGLAND MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Application filed. December 6, 1928, Serial No. 324,292, and in Great Britain. September 2, 1927.

This invention relates to pianos, player pianos, harmoniums and like instruments and has for its main object the provision of an improved form of such instruments of this type as are adapted to serve as writing desks or tables.

The invention comprises a piano, harmonium or like instrument having a top door which is adapted to be lowered to form a writing desk or table.

If desired the hinged top door when lowered may rest on the cheeks of the keyboard.

Receptacles, cupboards, racks and the like of known form may if desired be combined with the instrument.

Further features of the invention will be apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings of one particular embodiment which I give by way of example in order to indicate more clearly one method of carrying the invention into effect.

In the drawings which show perspective views of an upright piano according to the invention Figure 1 shows the normal view and Figures 2 and 3 show two forms of the instrument adapted for use as a bureau or writing desk.

In this specific construction illustrated I provide a piano of the usual upright kind, although of course this may be also a combined piano and player piano. The top door 1 of this piano I provide with hinges along its lower edge ,so that it may be lowered into a position such that it rests on the closed keyboard 2 or on the cheeks thereof which may be provided if desired with stop members of any suitable form. The hammers and usual mechanism disclosed by the removal of the top front of the piano I cover by means of a ,series of receptacles, racks or pigeon holes 3 suitable, for instance, for writing materials, papers or documents. I may also, if desirable, provide small drawers or cupboards which might serve a similar useful purpose. The inner side of the folding front I preferably provide with upholstering or covering of any suitable material such as baize so that it serves more suitably as a writing table.

Beneath the keyboard and on either side of the pedals I may also provide cupboards, racks or shelves and the like. On the one side, for instance, I may place a cupboard 4 and on the other a series of drawers 5. It will be obvious, however, I may have cupboards or drawers on both sides of the pedals. The arrangement then takes the form of a kneehole writing desk or bureau.

It is obvious that the arrangement may be modified in various ways. I may for example use any suitable form of fastener 6 for the top front of the piano casing. I may also provide the racks or the like behind this with any hand holes 7 or handles for the easy removal thereof. Furthermore, the top lid 8 of the piano itself may also be utilized as a lid for some or all of the racks or the like.

The arrangement may obviously be applied to player piano or harmonium or any like musical instrument having a general configuration similar to that of a piano and it will be seen that such a structure is of extreme value where space is restricted.

Having now described my invention, what,

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A piano, harmonium or like instrument having a top door which is covered on the inside with fabric and is rotatable about its lower edge and when lowered rests on the cheeks of the keyboard to form a writing desk or table.

2. A piano, harmonium or like instrument having receptacles in the lower front to form a knee-hole instrument characterized in this that the top door includes means whereby it inlay be lowered to form a writing desk or 

